Hydrogeothermal studies in the Albuquerque Basin--a geophysical investigation of ground water flow characteristics

Water Resources Research

2006

[1] Closely spaced temperature measurements taken across the vadose zone at Tome, New Mexico, suggest upward and/or horizontal fluid flow between $58 and $30 m depth. The temperature-depth profile is an independent data set that in the present example is best fitted by the exponential expression characterizing vertically upward water flow. In addition, expressions representing horizontal flow and combined horizontal and vertical flow also provide relatively good fits to the temperature data. A unique hydrogeologic environment is present at the Tome site, where a thick clay layer straddles the water table at $59 m depth. Neutron and bulk density porosity logs indicate the clay porosity is largely liquid phase water filled. It is suggested that matrix potential and perhaps osmosis are able to drive an uncommonly large vertical fluid flow for southwestern U.S. desert vadose zone sites because the presence of the saturated clay layer straddling the relatively shallow water table provides ideal conditions. The vertical specific discharge estimate is $0.09 m yr À1 liquid water. Horizontal flow may also be possible in the clay layer and is estimated as $23 m yr

Vadose zone fluid flow estimates calculated from temperature measurements taken in the southern Albuquerque Basin at Tome, New Mexico

Water Resources Research

2006

Variability of recent ground surface temperature changes in the Albuquerque basin, central New Mexico

2007

J. Geophys. Res.

[1] Subsurface temperature measurements have been taken at four sites over a large area within the Albuquerque basin, central New Mexico. These data were taken in the unsaturated zone in order to avoid potential water movement in the saturated zone, so that a better estimate of surface temperature change might be realized. The data imply surface temperature change is not constant across the area. Unexpectedly, large upward water flow is suggested at one site having a very unique hydrogeologic environment. Different amounts of surface warming, likely caused by land cover change and encroaching urbanization, are estimated at two other sites. Data from a fourth site do not indicate a statistically significant surface temperature change, although the effects of urbanization and possibly increased evaporation in the past several years add ambiguity to the interpretation. These four sites indicate the potential variability of phenomena affecting subsurface temperatures in the Albuquerque basin.

Continuous Temperature Logging in Air across the Deep Vadose Zone

2004

Vadose Zone Journal

Accurate temperature measurements with good depth resolution will be helpful in appreciating processes that influence temperatures in the vadose zone. In some areas, such as the Albuquerque Basin, groundwater flow perturbs the temperature regime in the saturated zone, making the deep vadose zone a potentially better region to investigate ground surface temperature changes. When it is not logistically or economically possible to span the vadose zone with a pipe filled with water, the temperature measurements must be made in air. Because of the very small heat capacity of air, these temperature measurements are difficult. This paper describes a new temperature sensor with a relatively fast time constant in air that provides accurate temperature measurements in a continuous logging mode. Temperature gradient characteristics below the 5‐m depth, based on a 1‐m depth measurement interval, are reproducible at a number of logging speeds. Absolute temperatures between the logs at any given depth below about 25 m typically agree to within 0.01°C. The temperature logging system should enable one to gather considerable information regarding the thermal regime in the vadose zone.